Alan Ingalls

Becoming a Badger

“I’m a beast, I am, and a badger what’s more. We don’t change. We hold on.”

So says Trufflehunter in CS Lewis’s Prince Caspian (p. 65 in the edition I own). He says something similar later in the book (p. 168). Trufflehunter was not bragging of stubbornness or obstinacy but acknowledging that it is in his nature to be faithful. Even though the dwarves had forgotten that a son of Adam must rule Narnia and had given up hope of intervention from Aslan—if he even exists, Trufflehunter was by nature faithful. He was ready to accept Prince Caspian and fight for him and his right to the throne.

I’ve been thinking of this quotation lately. I want the heart of a badger. I want to hold on, to be faithful, to be persistent in the very best sense of the word, in even the darkest days and most difficult hours. Jesus spoke of rewarding a good and faithful servant. Moreover, Paul says, it is required of a steward that one be found faithful.